Faith Focus: Superheroes in the making

We don’t think about superheroes long before thinking about their alter egos. They go together like peanut butter and jelly. Superman is Clark Kent. Spider-man is Peter Parker. Batman is Bruce Wayne.

But what about when our favorite heroes were children? Before they were saving the day, were they playing during the day?

On Saturday, I discovered the answer. I spent the morning with my daughter sorting clothing that will be distributed to vulnerable families through the Buckner Center for Humanitarian Aid. It was a great opportunity to bond with my daughter while helping others (I highly recommend it). In the process, I met a 6-year-old superhero-in-training.

Saturday was his fourth morning volunteering at the center. He’s sorted clothes twice, school supplies once and shoes through Buckner Shoes for Orphan Souls® on another occasion. It’s a cherished part of his life. He loves it.

He also loves memorizing the Bible. It’s the fuel that encourages him to serve others. His parents also encourage him by giving him a milkshake when he memorizes a long passage of Scripture.

Today, let’s follow the lead of a superhero-in-training. Here’s the most recent passage he memorized. Let 1 Thessalonians 5:5-11 live in your heart this week.

You are all children of the light and children of the day. We do not belong to the night or to the darkness. So then, let us not be like others, who are asleep, but let us be awake and sober. For those who sleep, sleep at night, and those who get drunk, get drunk at night. But since we belong to the day, let us be sober, putting on faith and love as a breastplate, and the hope of salvation as a helmet. For God did not appoint us to suffer wrath but to receive salvation through our Lord Jesus Christ. He died for us so that, whether we are awake or asleep, we may live together with him. Therefore encourage one another and build each other up, just as in fact you are doing.

Written by John Hall, associate director of public relations for Buckner International.